Midnight Sun: Jazz and Lutes go well together

This week, the siren sound of jazz music grabbed me by the ear and led me to a historic watering hole downtown. And the best part - I was able to take both of my kids with me.

To be admitted to much of the nightlife found in Yuma, one has to be 21, so being able to take my two little knee-biters along and feed them french fries and cheeseburgers was a breath of fresh air.

The Yuma Jazz Company was on the scene at Lutes Casino to give visitors to the establishment their jazz fix.

As I entered the quirky establishment, the sounds of organized pandemonium (aka jazz music) was reverberating through the large hall filled with strange and eye-catching trinkets and old paintings of not-so-pretty women of the evening.

I was able to procure a table in close juxtaposition to the action, and from our seats, we had a front-row view of the squealing trumpet, hooting saxophone, frantic guitar, quick upright bass fingers and one of the best drummers I have seen in Yuma.

I ordered up a tall glass of iced tea and some bizarre sandwich consisting of a hot dog on a hamburger (which was decidedly strange but still good) and sat with my family taking in the pleasurable chords and random solo achievements made, in turn, by each member throughout the course of the evening.

My daughter, K.T., who is only 14 months old, is an excellent judge of music. As the band played their ditties, she was happy to do her little toddler shuffle while strapped into her high chair and stuffing her face with golden crispy french fries drenched in crimson ketchup.

For K.T., this is a stamp of approval, and as she is my divining rod, so I am obliged to agree.      

The Yuma Jazz Company really knows their stuff. Even my 4-year-old son, Austin, behaved during the performance.

The quintet features Steven Hennig on trumpet and fluggelhorn, Brian Carlson on various saxophones, Carl Posch on guitar, Jon Knudtson on bass and Brandon Coz on drums.

I once had the pleasure in high school of being taught the finer points of marching band drumming by Mr. Coz, and he has helped make me the drummer I am today. But the man can still literally blow me out of the concert hall with his ridiculous syncopated Afro-Cubano style jazz rhythms.

In fact, most of the members are or have been music teachers in the community, and when they get together, it is certainly a pleasure to watch.

My family had a great time, and Ashley (my old lady) was grateful for the opportunity to get out of the house.

All in all it was a great and family-friendly experience, and I recommend it to anyone who wants a chance to do something with their kids besides taking them to McDonald's for a happy meal.

On a different note addressed to one Glen. Chandler, when I have some time, I will recruit my wing man, Mr. Ruanova, and head out to the Footies to check out the "Cougar” and Kevin Melcher.

Also, if anyone else reading this column has ideas, just let me know.

The Yuma Jazz Company will perform one more time this season from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 25 at Lutes Casino, 221 S. Main St., before heading over to Julieanna's Patio Cafe, 1951 W. 25th St., for the rest of 2009.   

Also, check out live video of the performance reviewed in this week's edition of the Midnight Sun online at www.YumaSun.com.
See you next week...

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BANDS PERFORMING
• Slick Nickel - 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19 - Yuma Landing
• Big Boss Band - 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 - Lutes Casino
• Chuckawalla Rhythm Kings - 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 - The Pub
• Kevin Melcher - 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19 - Daybreakers Cafe

ACOUSTIC NIGHT
• 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 - Hastings Hardback Cafe

RAP AND SKATING
• Cerebral Artists - 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 - Kennedy Skate Park

KARAOKE
• 5 p.m. today - Daybreakers Cafe
• 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 - Friendly Tavern
• 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 - Friendly Tavern
• 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 - Hooligan's Sports Bar/Grill & Comedy Club

MUSIC JAM
• Yuma Blues Band Jam - 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday - LZ Bar and Grill

OPEN MIC
• 9 p.m. every Sunday - Pop A Top Saloon

CONCERTS
• The Temptations - 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4 - Quechan Casino's Pipa Event Center

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To submit information for Midnight Sun, send e-mail to desertlife@yumasun.com. To reach Chris McDaniel, call 539-6849.